The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-10-27

sign is q spirited one and the execution all that
could be desired The likeness is striking The
statue WAS cast by Henry Bonnard, of New
York. The project of the memorial was in
auguratcd in 1872 but it was not until 1884
that the money necessary TO complete it-S30,-
000-was raised.
The ceremonies to-day were exceedingly sim
pie After the guests had arrived Mayor Edwin
II. Fitler who presided, promptly at 5 o'clock
introduced the Right Rev. Cortlandt White
head, ID. d., Bishop of Piusburg who delivered
an invocation and prayer The Mayor himself
followed in brief address, and then introduced
the Hon. Benjamin III. Brewster, ex- Attorney
General OF the United States, who, on behalf OF
the Paramount Park Art Association, presented
thestatue 20 the Commissioners of the Park, and
il was received by the Hon. George ii. Boxer,
ex-Unitcd States Minister to Constantinople,
President of the Commission. The monument
was unvailed ut this stage Of the ceremonies by
Masters George Gordon Meade and George Cor
don Meade Large, grandsons of the General,
AMID TUMULTUoUs CHEERING.
Mayor Filter then introduced the orator of
the day, Maj.-Gen. John Gibbon, United States
Army, who began his address by referring to his
first meeting with Pennsylvania great soldier
in the everglades of Elonda during the Semi
mole war, and said that upt 70 the beginning OF the
war Meade had never commanded even a COM
pany of soldiers Hence he entered upon his
military duties totally unused personally TO
active command, and depended for success upon
the basis of his military education and his good
judgment aud tact in governing men. Although,
Therefore, an officer Ia the Regular Army, Gen.
Meade was essentially volunteer, commanding
volunteers. Ii was frequently noted during the
war aud aiterWard how much of the renown
gained by volunteer organizations could be
traced lack 10 the right direction given to their
efforts By the sound Judgment good hard COM
firm, hasa nd fuc 81 1aa 1fprc ,off ho
commanders who first took them in charge. For
these qualities Meade
EARLY BECAME DISTINGUISHED,
and his efforts in drilling his command, discip-
lining aud gaining the confidence of his men
were fully eXempliied in the first battles they
went into. In speaking OF the second battle of
Bull Run, Gen. GibbOn said:
The problem WAS how aud in what time 20 get
the Army of the Potomac aud tnc Army OF Virginia
together in front Of Washington before Lee could
bring superior forces bear upon the latter army
touch upon this matter merely that may refer TO
O. conversation held with Meade at the time our
army concentrated about MarrentoB. lie had
recently returned TO his command and informed nae
that lie had just held conversation with the army
commander Gen. Pope during WHICH Meade asked
him tAe question: What are you doing out here {?
You should be falling back toward Washington"
ID IL a well-kuown fact that the authorities ia
Washington scat Pope orders 10 hold his ground Ia
advanced positions at the front Mark the fact that
while an Obscure brigade commander the future
defined, sound ideas upon that Rl-mDorlant and
muci undcrraied subject la military operations
strategy.
After referring TO Gen. ]. +. Reynolds re-
fusal 10 accept the command of the Army OF
the Potomac unless a liberty of action were
guaranteed 10 him considerably beyond what
he had any reason toexpect, the orator went on
20 say:
The Government was not yet prepared 10 act ON
sound military principles nor bestow high COM
niand unIHmpered with conditions by the recipient
aud hence q few months later when the Necessity
for relieving Hooker became imperative Meade
received no warning from the Government, aud
WA allowed no option in The matter. He wac
awakened at midnight 10y special messenger from
Washington, and 50 completely surprised that lac
could imagine no cause f0r the Visit except that he
90 be placed in arrest. The conclusion tc
which he jumped amply demonstrates how com
plelcly unexpected 10 him Was the order placing
him iu command 81 the army. The foundation foi
his conclusion, when awakened 10 find himself
confronted by Col Hardie dates back 10 the battl,
of Chauceilorsvie, barely two months before
After the retreat Hooker insisted that Meade hal
counsclcd a. and that lac had 90 reported TO Wash.
lngton. il 81 any wonder that bleade. walked on
OF a sound sleep at midnight aud confronted viii
special messenger bearing AN order from the Wa
Department, should have Jumped 20 the conclu
zion ihai The order was one placing him In arrer
Rather than one giving linl command Vi the army
HALLEcK AND MEADE.
Speaking OF the telegram from Gen. Hallecl
10 Meade after the battle of Gettysburg ex
pressing disappointment that Lee had not beel
captured and his army destroyed Gen. Gibbol
said:
il H. worth no mans while 20 attempt to dcfcn,
Cen Meade from charge which came very nen
being made the preieNl Tor depriyiug linn OF Tia
command OF tle army. Those who knew the chaI
acier 81 the man viii not hesitate accept con
elusive liE words before the Committee on the Cor
duct 81 the War aud repeated la other places wit
the came earncstness: deny" he says [" unde
the full solemnity aud snnctity of my oath aud Il
The frm conviction that the day will come vile
thc secrets 81 all men shall be KNOWN utterly den
ever having intended, or thought for one instant
10 withdraw that army, unless the military con
lngencies which The future should develop durin
the course OF the day might render il a matter {
necessity that the army should be Withdrawn
Gen. Gibbon emphatically denied that Ger
Meade had any intention Of retreating from I'll
field of Gettysburg on the morning Of July
or at any time during the battle. He sale
also:
AS one 81 The numerous controversies whic
have nrisen since the battle Of Gettysburg IL
regard 10 the powers bestowed upon Gen. HRI
cock on that occasion, simple quotation froI
Aieadc'h letter OF instruction, dated LILO n. M
July i, ought 20 be sufficient 90 settle the question
virtue Of tlis order, IA of the truth of Ger
Reynolds's death. you assume command of III
corps there assembled, viz, the Eleventh, Fir1